Barcelona vs. Alaves | La Liga | Pre Match

Barcelona's pursuit of La Liga leaders Real Madrid will continue on Sunday afternoon, when they welcome struggling Alaves to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for a must-win contest. With the season entering a crucial phase, every point is vital, and Hansi Flick’s men must ensure they do not drop any more as they seek to remain in the title race.

Hansi Flick's side are currently third in the La Liga table, seven points behind the reigning champions Real Madrid, while Alaves occupy 17th, only one point above the relegation zone at a vital stage of the campaign. The pressure on both teams is enormous, albeit for different reasons: Barcelona must stay in contention for the title, while Alaves need every point possible to escape the drop zone.

Barcelona were in sensational form in La Liga last weekend, recording a 7-1 win over Valencia, but that success proved to be just the second victory in Spain's top flight since the start of November. Despite their commanding performance, it did little to mask their inconsistency in recent months. A string of poor results has seen them drop crucial points, and their inability to find stability has been a significant concern for Flick and his coaching staff.

Indeed, the Catalan giants have won just two of their last nine in the league, suffering four defeats in the process, which has seen them lose vital ground at the top of the division, with both Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid ahead of them. Their struggles in key games have been evident, and defensive lapses have cost them dearly. The team has struggled to maintain intensity throughout matches, and lapses in concentration have led to costly errors.

Real Madrid and Atletico both play on Saturday this weekend, so there is a chance that Barcelona could be 10 points off the summit and six points off second by the time that they take to the field, demonstrating the importance of this fixture. With the gap potentially widening, Flick's side must approach this game with a sense of urgency and ensure they take maximum points to stay within reach of their rivals.

Flick's side will enter the match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Atalanta BC in their final match in the league phase of the Champions League, and a successful campaign saw them claim second spot in the overall table. Their European form has been solid, but their domestic performances have been erratic, and that is something they must correct if they are to mount a serious challenge for silverware this season.

Barcelona now simply must put together a run of wins in the league - it would be a shock to see them lose on Sunday, but three defeats have already been suffered at their temporary home during the 2024-25 campaign, while Alaves' last win over the Catalan giants actually came on their travels during the 2016-17 season. The memory of that upset will serve as a reminder that complacency cannot creep in, and every opponent must be taken seriously.

Alaves are on a four-game losing run against Barcelona, including a 3-0 reverse earlier this season, but they did hold the Catalan side to a 1-1 draw in this fixture during the 2021-22 La Liga campaign. While history favors Barcelona, Alaves have proven capable of frustrating them in the past, and they will aim to replicate that performance to earn a much-needed result.

El Glorioso finished 10th in Spain's top flight last term, which represented an excellent season, but it has been more difficult for the Basque outfit to pick up positive results in 2024-25, and they currently sit towards the bottom of the division. The contrast between last season's relative success and this campaign's struggles is stark, and they now find themselves in a relegation battle that will test their resolve.

Indeed, Eduardo Coudet's side boasts a record of five wins, six draws, and 10 defeats from 21 matches, with 21 points leaving them in 17th, only one point above 18th-placed Espanyol on the same number of games. The battle for survival is intensifying, and with so little separating the teams near the bottom, every fixture carries immense importance for Alaves.

Alaves have actually only lost one of their last seven in the league, though, and they have picked up four points from their last two matches, beating Real Betis 3-1 in Seville before holding Celta Vigo last time out. This recent upturn in form will give them a measure of confidence heading into the clash with Barcelona, even though they remain underdogs.

The Basque side is also unbeaten in their last three league games on their travels, and they will be the fresher of the two sides, with Barcelona involved in a high-energy Champions League contest on Wednesday night. Alaves will look to exploit any fatigue within the Barcelona ranks, hoping that their own preparation gives them an edge.

Inigo Martinez has been out since the start of January with a muscular issue, but the Barcelona centre-back is now in the final stages of his recovery, and there is a slight chance that he could be involved in the squad here. His return would bolster Barcelona's defensive options, though it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to feature.

Dani Olmo, though, is again expected to miss out, with his return instead likely to come against Valencia in the Copa del Rey next week. His absence deprives Barcelona of creativity in midfield, but the squad still has enough quality to compensate for his continued spell on the sidelines.

Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen remain long-term absentees with serious knee injuries, while Andreas Christensen is missing due to a muscular problem, but Barcelona have no fresh concerns following their Champions League clash with Atalanta. While injuries have tested their depth, Flick will be relieved that there are no new setbacks to contend with.

Wojciech Szczesny is likely to keep his spot between the sticks, but there is expected to be a change in midfield and at the back, with Pau Cubarsi and Marc Casado in line for recalls on Sunday afternoon. Rotation will be key in managing the squad’s workload, especially with a packed schedule ahead.

As for Alaves, Antonio Blanco is available again after serving a suspension, but Antonio Sivera remains on the treatment table with a hand injury, while Abdel Abqar is banned due to his yellow card against Celta last time out. The disciplinary issues further complicate Coudet’s selection decisions, as he aims to put out a competitive lineup against one of Spain’s biggest clubs.

Santiago Mourino could be the player to benefit in the middle of the defense, with the 22-year-old possibly replacing Abqar. Mourino has impressed in patches this season, and this could be a big opportunity for him to showcase his ability against elite opposition.

There are unlikely to be any further changes from the side that started against Celta, though, and there will be another start through the middle for Kike Garcia, who has scored nine La Liga goals during an impressive campaign. Garcia’s form has been one of the bright spots for Alaves, and his ability to trouble defenders will be key to their hopes of causing an upset.

With so much at stake for both teams, this clash promises to be a compelling battle. Barcelona know they cannot afford another slip-up, while Alaves will be fighting desperately to secure a crucial result in their survival bid. The stage is set for an intense showdown at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, where the outcome could have significant implications for the rest of the season.